A council spokesman said: “Our aim is always to offer a measured and proportionate response to unauthorised encampments, balancing the needs of the settled community with those of the travelling community.

“In all our dealings with the traveller community we follow the law of the land scrupulously.

“County Court possession orders are applied for when this is considered to be the most appropriate course of action.

“Further information about how the council deals with traveller issues is available on our website.”

The council’s traveller page shows there are currently three unauthorised encampments on city council land at Beacon Hill, Wild Park and Sheepcote Valley, as well as van dwellers by the racecourse on Wilson Avenue.